Carol A. Huckstead

Carol A. Huckstead age 89, of Mattoon, IL passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL. A memorial service in her honor will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Reverend Dennis Strawn will officiate. Carol was born on January 14, 1936, in San Francisco, CA to the late Arthur Charles “AC” and Barbara “Virginia” (Feraris) Larson. She married Donald “Don” E. Huckstead on August 31, 1973, in Mattoon, IL and celebrated fifty-one joyous years of marriage; he survives and resides in Mattoon. She is also survived by three children: Brenda Gossard and husband Alan of Mattoon, IL, Mike Gerkin and wife Julie of Mattoon, IL, Cheryl Kelley of Denison, TX; twelve grandchildren: Mitchel Shafer and wife Stephania of Bement, IL, Whitney Triestram and husband Kyle of Mattoon, IL, Jordan, Jacob, Sophia and Sam Gerkin of Mattoon, IL, Jeremy Kelley and wife Janelle of Fort Worth, TX, Ryan Kelley and wife Jennifer of Nashville, TN, Jeffrey Huckstead of Atlanta, GA, Dillon Huckstead of Sherman, TX, Brittany Huckstead of Dennison, TX; seven great-grandchildren: Kennedy and Miley Triestram of Mattoon, IL, Liam and Larken Kelley of Fort Worth, TX, Jeffrey and Anjel Huckstead of Atlanta, GA, and Aiden Huckstead of Dennison, TX. She was preceded in death by one son, Lyn Huckstead; and one granddaughter, Misty Kelley. Carol was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL for many years. In 1954 she graduated from Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, IL. She retired from General Electric in Mattoon, IL after twenty-five dedicated years of service. Prior to that she worked at D & W Restaurant and Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company. She was a former member of the Mattoon Moose and the Eagle’s Club in Mattoon, IL. Her friendly and outgoing personality was loved by all. Carol had the gift of gab and never met a stranger. Many of her friends and acquaintances lovingly referred to her as a “character”. She was an avid Elvis fan, she enjoyed puzzles, playing games on her iPad, meeting her GE friends for lunch and having monthly coffee with the girls. Spending time with her loved ones filled her heart with the most joy. The family will always cherish the beautiful memories she created. Although deeply missed, Carol will be forever loved and never forgotten. Memorial donations in her honor may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1804 S. 9th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

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Carol A. Huckstead

January 14, 1936 - February 8, 2025